THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2010
www.wcfcourier.com
2010 FALL PREVIEW
THE COURIER
PAGE 17
FRIDAY NIGHT Prep football the main attraction in many Iowa communities From page 16 “We have 90 percent participation from all the boys at GR,” noted Gladbrook-Reinbeck coach John Olson, “so (football) involves a lot of families, friends, relatives and alums.” “Football brings people together,” explained veteran Wapsie Valley coach Tony Foster. Wapsie Valley fans swarm to Costa’s Sports Bar in Fairbank before and after games. The Old World Inn in Spillville often overflows with South Winneshiek supporters. And, rabid North Tama Redhawk fans often start tailgating two full hours before kickoff. Football’s importance, in the grand scheme of things, is often overrated. But a proud, tradition-rich prep team can be a torch-bearer — at least during fall — for small communities. Football, noted Turkey Valley coach Mark Scott, “helps to set the tone for a good school year.” The local football field also gives those in consolidated school districts something to rally around and to become unified by. “Our community sees how hard our players and coaches work, and how we represent ourselves,” explained South Winn coach Jason Ohrt, “and that gets them to go the extra mile to support us.” “The football team reflects the values the community has,” noted North Tama’s Thoren, like “hard work, working as a team, self-sacrifice.” Each fall, Northeast Iowa’s small-school gridders carry the flag for their community. It’s a privilege few players take lightly. “I definitely feel like you’re representing the whole town,” said North Tama linebacker Cade Isenhower, who lives on a farm in rural Traer. “I kind of like knowing that everyone’s counting on us to pull through for the game.” Can an entire town’s citizenry be defined by football? Probably
COURIER FILE PHOTOS
AplingtonParkersburg is one of many Northeast Iowa football programs that enjoy tremendous community support. not. But in Northeast Iowa on viewing. Friday nights, high school foot“On Friday evenings,” said ball is an unquestionably popu- Foster, “the excitement is there. lar entertainment option. It’s intoxicating.” And, for many, it’s must-see “The wall of fans on their feet
surrounding the stadium every week is pretty special,” Ohrt added. “That’s my favorite thing, the Friday night lights,” said Crest-
wood star Reed Faldet. “Going out onto the field, and you’ve got your town, friends and family cheering us on? It’s motivation.”